The Scranton resident is an enthusiastic collector of brand-name athletic shoes, mostly Nikes, but with a whole bunch of Reeboks, New Balance and Adidas tossed in.

All in all, Mr. McGloin has an estimated 250-plus pairs of sneakers that he keeps at home and in storage. About 20 of those are in his wardrobe’s regular rotation, while others have never stepped outside.

The West Scranton High School grad, who also has a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Lehigh University, credits his interest in design with fueling his addiction.

“Being in architecture, for me, it’s about aesthetics,” Mr. McGloin explained. Besides, he said, the sneakers are practically fitting for any occasion.

“You can wear them with anything, jeans or playing basketball,” he said, before adding with a laugh: “I’m trying to wear them to my wedding.”

Good sports

Mr. McGloin, 30, and his siblings, older brother Paul and younger brother Matt, the noted local athlete who plays quarterback for the Oakland Raiders, all grew up as sneaker aficionados, owing to their involvement in three sports each.

The middle brother said that out of all the shoes he’s amassed over the years, his capsule Air Jordan collection is the highlight of his objects of affection.

The iconic jumping man logo speaks not only to Mr. McGloin’s personal fashion taste, but inspires him as an artist (he builds coffee table tops and storage chests bearing the insignia), and serves as a nostalgic way to stay in touch with a childhood spent idolizing basketball legend Michael Jordan.

“I grew up in the Jordan era,” he said. “I always had some sort of Jordan (sneaker) from about age 5.”

In fact, Mr. McGloin can still recall their exact appearance: a pair of Air Jordan V in teal, white and purple. Being “Like Mike” was a thrill for young Mr. McGloin, who said it was exciting that “any time you watch TV, you’re wearing the same sneaker as your favorite player.”

Strings attached

While he has kept many of his old shoes for the personal history attached to them (his mom, Cathy, recalls a certain pair of size 6 shoes her now size 12 adult son refuses to get rid of because they are his 1,000-points pair), Mr. McGloin also has the opportunity to revisit certain styles with “retro” rereleases by certain brands in new colors, textures or materials.

“There’s definitely a sentimental side to the sneakers,” he said. “Some I look at and I can remember them from 15 or more years ago, wanting to go to the mall to get them before basketball season.”

His true collecting started around 15 years ago, Mr. McGloin guessed, noting that he only buys shoes he finds visually appealing, and doesn’t run out to buy the newest make and model just because it’s in the store.

In the past, Mr. McGloin had to wait for the Eastbay catalog to arrive at his house before he could find out what the latest trend would be, but now with the booming online retail market, he can find out what to expect six to 12 months in advance.

For certain sneakers, Scranton is a tough market to be a serious shoe shopper, Mr. McGloin said. Many stores hold lotteries that consumers sign up for, and even then, there’s no guarantee the correct size will be available if a customer’s number is called.

Throughout the last two decades, Mr. McGloin has spent upward of $10,000 buying sneakers, he estimated. His collection features numerous special issues, such as a Pabst Blue Ribbon shoe in the beer brand’s trademark red-white-and-blue color scheme, or his Pee Wee Hermans, instantly recognizable by their gray and white color combo and a drawing of the comic on the interior sole. Some pairs could sell for $500-$600 online if a motivated buyer would come along, though Mr. McGloin doesn’t plan to give up any of his shoes just yet.

If he did, he’d likely make a trade with his brother, Matt, who also collects sneakers.

“It’s a lot of talk, though,” Mr. McGloin admitted. “Neither of us really wants to part with (any).”

“I learned from John,” Matt said. “I wouldn’t know half of what I do if it wasn’t for him.”

For their mother, it doesn’t make much difference either way.

“I’ve actually stopped going into their rooms and cleaning (because) I can’t move,” Mrs. McGloin said with a shrug and a shake of her head. “They’re sneaker nuts.”

Family: Engaged to Michelle Williams. Son of Paul and Cathy McGloin; brothers, Paul and Matt

Education: Graduate of West Scranton High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Lehigh University

Objects of his affection: Mr. McGloin collects name-brand sneakers, mostly Nikes, but also Reebok, New Balance and Adidas. He estimates he has more than 250 pairs.

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